WEAC Region 6 member Jay Garvey Shah, a fifth grade teacher at Creekside Elementary School in Sun Prairie, has been awarded a 2018 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Shah, who has been teaching for 15 years, will be teaching sixth grade mathematics and science at the International Community School of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia next year. He has taught in the U.S. and abroad, including at the American International School of Kuwait, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal.

“The Presidential Award represents part of an amazing journey I have had and hope to continue,” Shah said. “It honors the help and dedication of colleagues, friends, family, and students who have supported and challenged me to learn, create, inspire, and push myself as an educator. The field of education is constantly changing, but it will always be about people. This award celebrates the critical work of science and engineering educators in supporting students in understanding and helping our global society.”

Shah was a National Science Foundation GK-12 Teaching Fellow with the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory. He is a chemical engineer and received an Environmental Protection Agency grant for small-scale water filter research.

Passionate about bringing these experiences to the classroom, Shah inspires students to see science and engineering as ways to help the world. He received an Outstanding Educator Award from the 100 Black Men organization and is a recipient of the Franklin H. Williams’ Returned Peace Corps Volunteers award for commitment to community service.

Shah has led education workshops, published lessons, and served on the Wisconsin State Science Standards Writing Committee. He earned a B.S. in chemical engineering and a M.S. in civil/environmental engineering, both from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He also holds a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from George Mason University and is certified to teach first through eighth grade.

Each PAEMST presidential awardee received a $10,000 award from National Science Foundation. Recipients also were honored during recognition events in Washington, D.C., that included an award ceremony, professional development opportunities, and discussions with policymakers on how to improve STEM education.

A message from President Bell

My name is Debra Bell and I am the president of WEAC Region 1. I am very excited to be leading our region again this year. I have taught for 34 years at Boyceville Community School District. I have been secretary, vice president, head negotiator, president and have served on the executive board for both the region and the state. There are many exciting things happening in our union, in our locals, in our region, and in our state! I would like to encourage each member to get involved and commit to doing at least one thing or more this year. It can be as simple as going to WEAC.org and taking time to look at what is happening. Or try to attend a meeting, read our newsletters, and "like" our facebook site. I chose to step up because I'm confident that you will too!

Our executive board, our Region 1 staff directors, and our secretary work hard to meet all of our needs. They have stepped up to take leadership roles in our region! It would be wonderful if all of you also made a commitment to get involved, too. Join the conversation. Help us help each other! We really love what we do, and the more people who come to meetings, attend events, and read our Facebook site, the the more unified we are and the stronger we become!

In Solidarity,
Debra H. Bell
Region 1 President

WEAC News

Constant communication and outreach are the keys to keeping the Beaver Dam Education Association strong, BDEA leaders told WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen in her latest Spotlight on Locals column. “We work to educate our members on how to be an active member and how to get involved on the district level,” said Past President Kris Schumacher, a middle school art teacher.

WEAC is a co-sponsor of Every Teacher a Leader training June 25-26 in Madison. Teacher leaders are the heart of successful schools. Every Teacher a Leader promotes, supports, and grows teacher leadership and voice. Develop your ideas and meet others who can support you along the way. Register by March 29!